Utilizing Water Resources for Economic Growth

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Utilizing Water Resources for Economic Growth

By Mohammed Arifeen

Pakistan water resources are distinctive and limited. During the last few years due to scanty rains in Balochistan, lower Punjab and Sindh there had been serious water crisis in Pakistan. There is an urgent need for managing and utilizing our water resources most efficiently for rapid economic growth. Demand for the bulk water supply is rising in every sphere of life due to the increase growth in population. Much of the water is wasted due to inefficient utilization of water. It has become imperative that water which is the God gifted precious natural resource be judiciously utilized for the fast growth of the country. This will give our future generation a guarantee of adequate supply of water.

Pakistan lies in the area of subtropical arid and semi arid where dry climate prevails throughout Indus plain except Northern mountainous area with temperate climate. Annual rainfall over Indus plain is erratic and not more than 150mm. Most of the rainfall is in the during the monsoon season.

Pakistan’s land area is 79.61 million hectares of which 23.25 million hectares are under cultivation. About 77 percent area is irrigated. Around 35.03 million hectares are utilized for agriculture and forest development purpose. Water is essential for the growth of agriculture. Supply of water from canal cannot fully meet the full requirement of the crop production. There is a shortage of irrigated water and most of the time it undergoes heavy losses due to seepage in canals. Watercourses and channels increase water losses. About 40 percent of total available water is wiped out in this prevailing irrigation system. In the context of water scarcity our growth in agriculture is slackened. It is estimated from 97 percent of consumption of fresh water about less than 50 percent is worth utilization.

Pakistan’s majority of the population is dependent upon agriculture. This sector the main user of water continues to rely upon water. We have been gifted with huge rich water resources, with water flowing down from Himalayas and Karrakurram heights from world’s largest glaciers. As a result of this we have the largest irrigation system irrigating more than 36 million hectares of land. Indus Valley River System the main source of water resource is the largest irrigation system in the world. It consists of large number of barrages, canals and water courses. The system has three reservoirs. (Tarbela, Mangla and Chashma). River water is directed by barrages and headwork into main canals and subsequently into branch canals, distributaries and minors. The flow to the farm is through watercourses. Most of the water used for irrigation cannot be utilized again. About 50 percent water is wasted by evaporation.